When working with new clients, the number one question that I am asked is, “What should we wear for our portrait session?” Most importantly, I suggest choosing something that you feel comfortable in. In general I offer the following tips:
Dark colored clothing (especially pants) works well because it has a slimming effect in photographs.
**Avoid solid white or cream tops as they can reflect light in **certain settings.
Dress a group in complementary colors.
Wear classic styles to prevent the photograph from looking outdated later.
Jeans photograph well, and barefeet look awesome on the beach!
Choose a hue that complements your eye color.
A bit more make-up than normal appears natural in photos.
Avoid ballcaps and clothing with logos.
Colorful accessories like scarves and jewelry can enhance the photo in an understated way.
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/San-Diego-Rustic-Countryside-Ranch-Style-Fall-Family/i-w6rrcHf/0/c5398cb0/L/La%20Jolla%20family%2092037%20Portraits-%20%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-8749-L.jpg)
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![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/92109-Mission-Bay-Beach-San-Diego-Family-Portraits/i-R2nzpPx/0/38115227/L/Balboa%20Park%2092101%20Family%20Portraits-%20%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-5559-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/San-Diego-Balboa-Park-Destination-Wedding-and-Vacation/i-nZ4rQSq/0/f35dd302/L/Balboa%20Park%20San%20Diego%2092101%20-%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-0199-L.jpg)
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![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/La-Jolla-San-Diego-Beach-Photographer-92037/i-2FcTVGz/0/08e7068e/L/La%20Jolla%20Windansea%20Beach%20Family%20Portraits-7487-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/92101-Family-Portrait-Photographer-Balboa-Park-San-Diego/i-4TgFKrB/0/03c9947d/L/Balboa%20Park%20San%20Diego%2092101%20Family%20Maternity%20Portraits-%20%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-4194-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/CD-San-Diego-Family-Portrait-Photographer-/i-R7b4z8f/0/dce66a4f/L/Christina%20%26%20Daniel%20-%20Family%20Portraits%20Jan%202020-9825-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/Bay-Park-Family-Portraits-San-Diego/i-hzKKZgt/0/969f6a77/L/Holderman%20Bay%20Park%20-%20Fall%202021-3924-L.jpg)
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![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/SM-RSF/i-4vGVFVv/0/b9db0b03/L/Corrine%20Moll%20Family%20-%2050th%20Anniversary-8522-L.jpg)
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![](https://photos.smugmug.com/La-Jolla-San-Diego-Mission-Beach-Photographer-92109/MW-Mission-Beach-San-Diego-Family-Portraits-92109/i-ndmpxd6/0/219a4398/L/Brandon%20and%20Marni%20Woodward%20-%20Mission%20Beach%20San%20Diego%20Family%20Portraits%20-%20Rachel%20McFarlin%20Photography-2819-L.jpg)
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![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/EH-92037-La-Jolla-Beach-Family/i-XQs7QwH/0/55212df2/L/92037%20Family%20Portaits%20La%20Jolla%20Beach%20Sunset%20-%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-8571-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/La-Jolla-San-Diego-Mission-Beach-Photographer-92109/PT-Family-Senior-Portraits-UCSD-La-Jolla/i-BKZB7zW/0/b3df297c/L/Thomas%20Family%20-%20UCSD%20Family%20Portraits%202022-9479-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Babies/92037-family-one-year-old-baby-portraits-La-Jolla-Beach/i-6tJrzVK/0/f3161475/L/92037%20La%20Jolla%20Beach%20Portraits-%20%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-7023-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/ES-La-Jolla-Family-Portraits/i-FVCJPbV/0/8487bbb3/L/La%20Jolla%20Family%20Portraits%20Beach%20Sunset%2092037%20-%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-5235-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/Family/Family-Portrait-Photographer-San-Diego-Mission-Beach-92109/i-vMTN4Kx/0/43e34549/L/Family%20Portraits%20-%20San%20Diego%202019%20-%20www.RachelMcFarlinPhotography.com-3428-L.jpg)
![](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-7Wc7ZLp/0/3d6d21df/L/i-7Wc7ZLp-L.jpg)
There are a few exceptions for certain photos like professional head shots, maternity/belly pictures and newborn portraits. Feel free to drop me an email, and check through my albums to get ideas about how best to dress for those type of pictures.